Breaking news
Harden's says
'Proper' Algarvian cuisine - the grilled, piri-piri seasoned 'chicken frango' familiar to many who holiday in Portugal - has arrived at London Bridge, along with regional charcuterie, octopus rice and pasteis de nata, plus natural Portuguese wines. The first floor dining space is a destination in itself, with vaulted ceilings, huge windows and a skylight. Arcade Food Theatre at the bottom of the Centrepoint tower has a sibling stall, called Casita do Frango.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“I call it posh Nando’s… but I feel like that does it an injustice as it’s so much better than Nando’s!” – MJMK’s “jolly” piri piri chain can make “a very pleasant surprise”. The “atmosphere is very bright and fun” and they serve “great flavour-packed food at very reasonable prices” (“mostly tasty grilled meats” and “decent sharing plates” with some good veggie options too). The SE1 original is “big and buzzy” with an excellent plant-filled upstairs. The Victoria branch “suffers for being in the soulless glass and steel of Cardinal Place”, and is “best at lunchtime in the glass-roofed room upstairs”.
Summary
“Simple and so good!” – MJMK’s chain (they also own Kol and Lisboeta) of “posh Nandos” makes an outstanding choice for a “bustling if noisy” night out on the cheap. “Excellent piri piri chicken ’n’ chips” is at the heart of the food offering, but there are also brilliant sides (such as “very good African rice and slaw”) and some fab veggie options. The original SE1 branch remains the most commented-on, and has a “lovely” plant-filled upstairs. The other branches are perhaps a fraction less vibey, although the newly opened Victoria outlet wins praise as “a good airy space”.
Summary
“I would never have imagined chicken ’n’ chips could be so delicious! It’s like being on a mini holiday!” – the original, “über-busy” SE1 branch of this growing chain of “posh Nandos” is a smash hit. “The yummy food, the fabulous greenery, the buzzy atmosphere, the extensive vinho verde wine list. Who’d have thought such a gem would be found under a grubby railway arch in South London!” Expanding under owners MJMK (who also own Lisboeta and Kol), the group has a less-high-profile Shoreditch spin-off; and is also set to open in 2023 in Victoria, on the site last occupied by Hai Cenato (RIP). Top Tips – don’t just stick to the peri-peri chicken – look out for the African rice, chorizo and other menu options. Also, at SE1 “there is a downstairs, but try to eat upstairs in the lovely loft-style space, with plenty of light and enough plants to require a full time gardener!”
Summary
“Nando’s eat your heart out”, say fans of the “real” Portuguese peri-peri grilled chicken “and very tasty sides” at this “fun if busy, busy, busy” (to the point of being “overwhelming”) duo near Borough Market and Shoreditch (of which the former is by far the most commented-on). It’s backed by MJMK (who also run Kol, Lisbetoa et al) and a first central London branch seating 200 is set to open in 2022 in Mayfair’s Heddon Street.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Casa do Frango?
Restaurant details
Casa do Frango Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A fun early evening supper with friends. A good selection of genuine recipe Portuguese dishes. 3 starters, 3 main courses and a selection of vegetable dishes was ample for sharing. I was only a week back from Porto and I felt they had done a good job of reproducing the flavours "
"a new find but a firm favourite already"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £23.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
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